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Official healthcare routes

Healthcare guide

Understand the official pathways to healthcare in Greece before you need them.

EU / EEA or Swiss visitor

  1. 1Bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), or an S1 form if it applies.
  2. 2Use the public system or an EOPYY-contracted provider under the applicable terms.
  3. 3Confirm cover before planned care; EHIC mainly covers medically necessary care during a temporary stay.

Living or working in Greece

  1. 1Check whether you need AMKA for insurance and healthcare access.
  2. 2Use the official AMKA route at KEP or e-EFKA with documents required for your status.
  3. 3Keep residence and insurance data current; requirements differ by legal status.

International protection applicant

  1. 1PAAYPA is issued with the international-protection applicant card and enables healthcare access.
  2. 2Use the Gov.gr service to find the number with your identification details.
  3. 3If protection is granted, follow the official process to convert PAAYPA to AMKA within the deadline.

How to obtain the right document

EHIC or S1

Request it from the public health insurer in the country where you are insured before travelling or moving. Greece cannot issue another country’s EHIC or S1.

  • EHIC or S1 certificate
  • Passport or national ID
  • Any insurer instructions or supporting documents

AMKA

Apply through the competent issuer, usually a KEP or e-EFKA point. The route depends on nationality, residence and insurance status.

  • Valid identity document
  • Legal-entry or residence document when applicable
  • Proof of actual residence in Greece if required
  • Confirm the current list with the KEP/e-EFKA office before visiting

PAAYPA

For protection applicants, PAAYPA is issued with the applicant card by the Asylum Service. Use Gov.gr to find the number and follow the conversion process if protection is granted.

  • International-protection applicant card
  • Identification details used for the application
  • Residence-permit decision when starting AMKA conversion

Document requirements vary by status and can change. This is a preparation checklist, not a replacement for instructions from KEP, e-EFKA, the Asylum Service or your insurer.

Where to receive care

  • Public services: The national health system includes public primary care and hospitals.
  • EOPYY network: EOPYY contracts doctors, clinics and diagnostic laboratories. Check cover and any co-payment before booking.
  • Private care: Ask for the full price and whether private insurance or an EOPYY arrangement applies before treatment.

Healthcare at a glance

Choose the route you need and find the right practical information faster.

How to access healthcare

Choose the route you need and find the right practical information faster.

Hospitals

Public and private hospitals, with cost guidance, phone numbers, hours and maps.

Public · usually coveredPrivate · paid care

Pharmacies

Find open, on-duty and 24-hour pharmacies with directions and phone numbers.

Medical out-of-hours care

Find urgent medical advice outside regular clinic hours. Call 112 or 166 for emergencies.

Family doctor

Learn how to register with a personal doctor through the official Greek healthcare route.

Pharmacy finder

Pharmacies near you

Find nearby pharmacies and check current duty schedules through the official pharmacy associations.

Official duty pharmacies

Open the current duty roster from the local pharmacy association.

Check duty pharmaciesFind pharmacies on map

Live official list

No pharmacies match your search.

Duty schedules and opening hours can change. GreekHub does not publish live pharmacy status. Check the official list or confirm directly before travelling.

Duty schedules and opening hours can change. GreekHub does not publish live pharmacy status. Check the official list or confirm directly before travelling.

Medical out-of-hours care

For urgent but non-life-threatening symptoms, contact the local medical on-call service or a health centre. Call 112 or 166 for emergencies.

Open official service

How to get a family doctor

Use the official personal doctor route to check eligibility, registration and available doctors. Requirements can vary by residence and insurance status.

Open official service
Need AFM, Taxisnet, KEP or residence guidance?Official services →

Public hospital directory

Hospitals in Athens & Thessaloniki

Call 112 or 166 for emergencies. For routine care, confirm the hospital on call, your coverage and appointment requirements before travelling.

Athens

Open official complete directory

Directories are maintained by the competent Regional Health Authorities; always check them for current services and on-call schedules.

Thessaloniki

Open official complete directory

Directories are maintained by the competent Regional Health Authorities; always check them for current services and on-call schedules.

How to access public hospital services

  1. 1Emergency: call 112 or 166, or go to the emergency department only when it is safe to travel.
  2. 2Routine visit: contact the hospital or use the official appointment route; the hospital on call can change each day.
  3. 3Bring passport/ID, AMKA or PAAYPA where applicable, insurance details and any referral, prescription or previous results.

GreekHub provides practical navigation, not medical, legal or insurance advice. In an emergency, call 112 or 166.